NAACP Address City Council: Mall Teen Policy

Home · News · Weather · Sports · Schools · Recipes · Program Schedule · Obituaries · Stocks · ALFA Skycam Network

Health · Politics · Community · Religion · Entertainment · Restaurants · Station Info · Photo Album · Green Guide · Horoscopes · Gas Prices · Classifieds · Hurricane Center

For the latest on Hurricane Gustav visit our Online Hurricane Center by following the link at the top of this page.

Do you stock supplies when anticipating a bad storm?

	Yes
	No
	Sometimes

Click here to make WTOK.com your home page.

NAACP Address City Council: Mall Teen Policy

Save

Posted: 6:22 PM Jul 1, 2008
Last Updated: 8:07 PM Jul 1, 2008
Reporter: Tametria Conner
Email Address: tametria.conner@wtok.com

20 comments

A | A | A

Bonita Lakes Mall officials are seeking the public's help in their effort to come up with a plan to address the issue of unsupervised teens and the Meridian/Lauderdale county NAACP say that want to help.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, local NAACP members charged the council to help come up with a proactive plan. Weekends are the main concern. NAACP members say with school being out and a lack of teen-based activities to chose from, there's really not an option for teens, other than to hang out at the mall.

"And you talk about juvenile crime. Well what would you do? You're not being instructed on things during the summer. There's no academic programs going on to help you advance your learning abilities when you return back to school. There's no athletic programs that are right in your neighborhood that you can be a part of," NAACP Youth Chair Milton Johnson said.

NAACP members say with only a month remaining before school starts, their proposed plan may not go into effect this summer. But they say City officials can start brainstorming now.

NAACP member Randall Jennings says he understands Bonita Lakes Mall officials concerns about this issue interfering with business. So he proposes utilizing resources to provide employment opportunities for teens.

"We can compile a pretty good piece of resources where we can employ a lot of these youth to work back into the community, not only in a situation where we are keeping them structured, but they can also become their overall supervisors," NAACP Education Chair Randall Jennings said.

"I don't know the solution. I wish i did know the solution. I do know that parents are responsible for children. And children are responsible to their parents," Meridian Councilman Dr. George Thomas said.

Bonita Lakes Mall officials say no plan has been finalized yet. But they are in the process of implementing one soon.

More Stories
State of Emergency Declared

Capital Murder Suspects Back in Meridian

Katrina: Three Years Later, Part 2

Musgrove Makes East Mississippi Stops

Sinkhole Discovered at Church

York Voters Seek Change in Election

New Topic Chosen for Oxford Debate

Mississippi Officials Gearing Up for Storm

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Don Location: Meridian on Jul 3, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Interesting followup on this story. Seems the city is now going to court to get money for an afterschool program that was never started back from Mr. Jennings. Seems like I remember him getting money from the Meridian Public School District for this program the mayor has mentioned. I wonder if he has paid that money back, since no program was started.

Posted by: Don Location: Meridian on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:36 PM
The city council could pass an ordinance which would allow the police to arrest the parents of disruptive teens at the mall. If the parents were held accountable, the kids would straighten up in quick order. Wasn't Mr. Coleman on the council until it was discovered he lived on the coast? Does he live in Lauderdale County now? And didn't Mr. Jennings get money from the city council and the school system to start an afterschool program which never got started? Was the money ever repaid? Someone needs to take a real close look at this local NAACP group. I don't think it holds the same integrity it did when Mr. Clark was in charge.

Posted by: Jim Location: Meridian on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Ah, Summertime. Kids are out of school and wanting to use all that energy doing something they enjoy. HOW DO YOU CHANNEL THAT ENERGY? As a youngster my interest was the outdoors. I explored the various creeks and rivers and any ponds I could to fish and enjoy it. Nowadays the creeks are stopped up with trees and the banks overgrown with bushes and weeds. Why not let youngsters clear the banks of brush under retired adults supervision and let them fish also. That is civic work. Establish criteria with counselors in the school system to focus each child's energy in something they like for summertime. They could ride along or help businesses in various trades and perhaps either learn a trade or find out that what they thought was for them IS NOT. Teenagers could be allowed to assist nursing homes by being helpers and learn a lot from people on the tail end of life who can tell them what is important in life. That, they may not be getting at home.

Posted by: BB Location: Lauderdale County on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:52 PM
I hope people keep in mind these teens spend a lot of money.

Posted by: LISA Location: MERIDIAN on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I AM THE MOTHER OF A 16 YEAR OLD WHO HAS A JOB AND SPENDS A CONSIDERBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY ( MORE THAN I DO ) AT THE MALL BUT BECAUSE OF SOME UNRULY KIDS NOW HE CAN'T DO THAT I THINK THE ONES THAT ARE NOT SPENDING MONEY AND ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS SHOULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES BUT I WILL MAKE SURE THAT HE DOES NOT GO TO THE MALL AND SPEND HIS MONEY BUT WHEN IT CLOSES DOWN DON'T BE COMPLAINING !!!!!

Posted by: O Location: Mdn on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Security needs to be beefed up at least for the summer. There needs to be more of a police presents also. If kids are under 13 they need an adult to be with them. The mall is a hang out spot. It has been that way for years. If someone is acting unruly, youth or adult, then that individual needs to be removed from the area. There really isn't too much else around here for youth.

Posted by: Valerie Location: Toomsuba on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:04 AM
It is a shame that all we can do is find another place to band our children from. If you think the mall will survive without the teenagers think again. If the kids are not being disruptive or keeping others from shopping what is the problem. If You have security and police officer present that will deterr most bad behavior. And the ones that do not want to follow rules and regulations can be escorted from the premisses. Believe it or not most of these teenagers are spending money. Don't make an issue be an issue if it is not an issue. We all grew up hanging at the mall. I don't condon playing in the stores,dressing rooms, or messing with items you are not going to purchase. But in a safe building hanging out with friends walking up and down the mall who are they hurting. We also need to look for other places teens can go to be with friends in a safe enviroment. Most homes are not safe to have teenagers hanging out at. Just one mothers opinion!!!!

Posted by: Cindy Location: Meridian on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:33 AM
As many Christian Ministers, Youth Ministers and Christian Youth Group we have in the area, maybe it is time for the Christian community to step up and volunteer a couple of hours a week to go to the mall and talk with these teens. Witness to them and even invite them to their church to join in the activities that are offered to the youth at their churches. If these kids are approached often, as they congregate in the mall, they will either be receptive or they will quit coming to the mall because they know they are going to be ministered to. Who knows, this effort just might change a kids life. I do not know if it is legal to do this, but if it is, I think it would be a great start to solving this problem.

Posted by: Dewana Location: Meridian, MS on Jul 2, 2008 at 06:57 AM
I don't believe that it's my responsibility or the city of Meridian's responsibiltity to babysit other people's children, they need a sitter, hire one. It's gotten so bad that a family or individual can not go to the Mall and shop in peace without all the half dress teens running around, some don't look old enough to be there by themselfs, not to mention how rude some are. Parents need to wake up and take responibility, if something was to happen to one of them, who are the parents going to blame, us. I raised my kids to respect others and their property. Parents take care of your own, you had them, you watch them.

Posted by: Kay Location: Hickory on Jul 2, 2008 at 06:43 AM
The kids are at the mall because they have nothing to do. We need to open a teen dance club, a YMCA, maybe a skate park. The local churches should offer activities for the youth on the weekends. The Riley Center could offer discounted events aimed at the teens. Keep the teens busy in safe environments and they are less likely to get into trouble.

Posted by: M Location: Lauderdale on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Its the Parents responsibility to see that their kids act responsible. Some Parents drop off their kids at the Mall as if its a Baby-Sitter. Their is a lot to do in Meridian. Swimming, fishing, bowling, skating. And theres the so called Boys and Girls Club that the government and the local community has funded. Its NOT the responsiblity of the local government to pascify their children. I guess its George Bush's fault that their kids act like hudlums and have nothing to do.

Posted by: Jessica Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:54 PM
How bout the point of view of a teen? ehem, me...has anyone else noticed that it's not only teens who are causing problems? Every time I go to the mall with friends, there's always adults outside smoking. Plus, a lot of people are making complaints that there's nothing to do around here, but I seem to remember a saying that goes "the best things in life are free". What happened to the great outdoors and sports? If you must go to the mall, there are free ways to enjoy yourself. For example, my friends and I have found it fun to try on clothes to either look really good or just completely weird. We also like window shopping, then seeing if we can save our money to afford the things we like. As for laziness, not only is that infuenced by parents, did anyone ever think that maybe they just need something to do that they actually enjoy? Normally I don't like easy work, but I'm hoping to apply for a job at 15 working with animals, and I would do my job because I love them.

Posted by: darrel Location: philadelphia on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Concerning the mall and teens. The problem starts with parents. If the parents required teens to get a job, they would not be hanging out at the mall, causing conflict. I am a parent of a 20 year old and 17 year old twins. They all have fulltime jobs. Teens are the future of our state. I challenge parents to teach their teens responsibility.

Posted by: Robin Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:44 PM
First, people complain that the little kids are too loud in the play area in the food court. Now they are complaining about teenagers. What is next, banning kids altogether from the mall? I am a parent of a teenager. I have not seen any teenagers at the mall keeping shoppers from shopping in any of the stores. Teenagers have been hanging out at malls ever since they have been in existence. A lot of these teenagers spend more money at the mall than any adults that go there. Most of the stores in the mall are geared toward teenagers not adults. No, it is not the responsibility of the government to find something for these kids to do. If they are 15 and up they should try to find a job to earn their own spending money. I am sure there is some sort of a job for them to do. My daughter plans to get a job as soon as she turns 15. She wants to save for a car. If teenagers think they are owed something without working for it, it is because of the adults that think the same thing.

Posted by: Maronica Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I feel that we young teens only go to the mall because we have no other places to go. We have no activies close to home or no places we can hang out. For a while Highland Park was a place where we could hang with one another, but do to the closing off of riding through the park, we have nowhere to go but to the mall. That is the only place left. Even Arts in the Park and Children First Day has been moved to different locations where it is hard for a lot of young people go to. Keeping us from the mall will solve no problems in the community, but cause more. We feel we have no voice and we are getting everything and anything we enjoy taken away from us.

Posted by: Debra Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I rarely go to the mall b/c of this problem. I know that not all of the teenagers at the mall cause problems, but I feel it is necessary to enforce a plan that allows young people in the mall after 6pm ONLY an adult accompanies them. I am sure that if something like this were enforced, sells would increase at the mall. I just do not want to see this mall go down like the old mall did. As far as offering more employment opportunites to the teenagers--I don't think so. Has anyone been to a fast food restaurant in Meridian lately? A lot of the teenagers lack training in customer service and could care less about the blessing of being employed. Until the employers are ready to spend time training and demanding high standards, this idea would never be succesful.

Posted by: Sharron Location: Kiwanee on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Dr. Thomas is correct. Children are their parents' responsibility. The mall security should not allow the children to continue to hang out. They should be supervised by an adult. If they are there using profanity, with sagging clothes, they should be made to leave. It would take about a week to curtail the problem if children were taken to the police station and the parents had to go pick them up. Parents need to be held accountable for their children's actions.

Posted by: Michele Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The mall should have the right to require that anyone under 17 be escorted at all times. If the parents were made to do their job and stay with their underage children, there wouldn't be a problem. With so many disrespectful children just hanging out, there should be some rules enforced. I agree that Meridian needs to have an activity center for teenagers. The center needs to establish strict rules about a dress code and manners, so that the ones who don't have respect for themselves, as well as others will not ruin it for the ones who are doing right. I know MPD is busy, but maybe they could help mall security to move the children that are just hanging out. Don't allow them to just stand around at the entrances or inside the mall. Parents must be more aware of what their children are doing.

Posted by: Shane Location: Meridian on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:14 PM
It's time to stop making excuses for our youth and teach about accountability and responsibility. It sounds like we might also need to discuss these issues with parents as well. Kids who don't act appropriately should face consequences - not be hired and mentored by shop owneers in the mall. Would you hire someone who was disruptive outside of your place of business, or someone who came in - dressed appropriately and showed some manners?

Posted by: Karen Location: collinsville on Jul 1, 2008 at 07:31 PM
My comments are in reference to teens at the mall. I don't believe Meridian offers enough activities for the youth. Who can afford to go the movies, let alone the snacks they sale. The bowling alley is okay. I'm speaking on behalf of the older youth...15-18 year olds...my 17 yr old, in particular. She usually goes to Walmart, the mall,or bowling alley. She complains that she doesn't want to hang out at the skating rink r/t too many 'little ones'. I can't afford to give her money for the movies every weekend. She doesn't use drugs, or drink. I don't want her to be hanging out at a place where drugs and such are readily available. With gas and everything else going up,hanging out with friends in town is just about all she can do. Why can't someone open the old mall with multiple activites for the teens. Ice skating, pool tables, game rooms, basketball room, cheap movies, etc. What about an amusement park here? Any other ideas? Rather have them out stealing, fighting,drinking,etc? NOT ME.

Posted by: David Location: Stonewall on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Since when is it the governments responibility to keep the children of the community busy with summer projects and such to keep them out of trouble. Last I checked, the parents are the ones that are responsible for taking care of their children. If the mall wants to keep unsupervised teens out of the mall, they can! The mall is not a day care, it is a place of business. And as far as using these teens to work, there are not enough jobs to go around for grown up and most of them just want the money and do not want to work for it. I guess they feel that they are owed something. They are not owed anything, I was taught that you work for everthing that you get, nothing is ever handed to you for free. So, quit trying to make everything the governments problem, buck up and become a parent that parents not just one that blames everyone for there own problems.